7 replies to this topic

[Bolt]

Hi everyone,

I'm an independent video game developer, and recently got my first game published. I am just looking for more exposure as well as feedback for my game, I thought that this would be a good place to go for that. Here is a brief description of my game:

In these days of viruses roaming the internet, your computer has become infected with several lethal viruses. They have set themselves in your memory, and will take over your computer unless you stop them. You are the Firewall. Build robots to help in your revenge against the viruses. Poster robots build posts to take back control of your computer's memory. Hacker robots hack at the virus controlled memory so you can take back control. Wrecker robots seek and destroy virus robots. Build drones and bases to help defend your memory and take back control of your computer. You are the Firewall.



Here is my website:

http://www.boltsoftwaregames.com

And the two sites where you can currently buy my game from (they are both the same price)

http://www.thegamecr...com/?f=firewall

http://www.plimus.co...ist.jsp?catId=7

There is a fully playable demo available from the site, as well as full screenshots and a forum for feedback and questions. I hope you enjoy the game, let me know what you think of it.

Thank you

[eddie]

From the brief synopsis, I like the storyline (I'm downloading the demo, but it's a slow download.. I hope the storyline is fleshed out more: I could see this going places/being-interesting).

The screenshot you posted also is enticing looking (simplistic, but effective. I like it).

Current hopes:
- Good gameplay?
- Good storyline?
- Fun?

I'll keep you posted. :)

(If it's any good, I'll buy it. Gotta support the little guy!).

Quick question: Did you look at garagegames.com? If so, any reason why you didn't go with them?

[eddie]

Well, I played it for the last 50 minutes. Good game, especially for a first time being published! Kudos are in order! :)

(It did crash with a runtime error 7, at the 50 minute mark tho. Weird.)

My feedback:

You've got a great game. It's fun, addicting, and it has good gameplay! :)

So, all in all you've got a great game, so I can't say there's anything tragically wrong with it.

My only thing is, that you should have an easier ramp up for new players...

I know, I know, I should read the manual. I should get up and started by reading all the documentation, etc, etc.

But how many gamers actually do this? We're spoiled by games with a good tutorial, or a couple easy levels to get the hang of the system.

This game is nice, but it would be nice to have a bit of a way to figure out where things are, what they do, when I should use this or that, etc.

Other than that, my only other pieces of feedback are what others would call 'fluff', but I'll mention them regardless.

- I'd (personally) like to see a story-mode, or some way where you get new vehicles, new items, piece by piece. This way you can feel 'rewarded' for getting that new item/vehicle, and you can learn about it as you go. Tech trees are fun that way. :)

- The load times seem a little slow for a game of this size. Nothing horrible, but this is a small enough game that's addicting enough, it would be nice to pop it open in a small amount of time, play it, and then shut it down.

Other than that, it's really quite cool. :) I'm going to go try it again, here's hoping it doesn't crash again. :)

[Bolt]

Thank you very much for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

About your story mode suggestion: there is actually a 26 mission campaign with a story, although I'll admit, it isn't much of a story. But in every single battle there is a special twist too it that you won't find anywhere else in the game. Like, for instance, all of the viruses will be against you and not eachother, or there will be unlimited points. Plus, you can get cache, which you can use to permanently upgrade your robots, and you unlock special powers for your robots like cloning and stuff. Okay, enough of my advertising, haha.

The load times...that is because of the language that I programmed it in: Dark Basic. There is no way around the long load times, but the main reason is because of the music loading, there is sadly no way for me to fix it though.

Yeah, the run time error. Those have plauged me throughout the development process of the game. You should be lucky you're playing it now though...you should have seen it before, haha.

I have contacted garage games before, but that was a long time ago. I should do it again, see if they respond this time. Thank you for the suggestion.

[eddie]

Interesting!

Can you tell us any more about how you made this?

- How many people? What disciplines (artists? Engineers? Sound? etc)
- How long?
- What tech did you use? (Dark Basic, what else? Anything?)
- Where did you get the music/models from? (I like the music. :))
- Anything you learn doing it?
- Would you do it again? :)

Cheers!

[Bolt]

Yeah, I'm happy to share how I made the game.

I did 100% of the programming, all of the 3D models except for the arena, all of the textures except the arena and smoke, and most of the game design and ideas. Some of my friends helped me with game concepts. The menu song is done by Lance Vaughn, a friend, and the rest of the music is done by Jack, another friend online. I found both of them through the Dark Basic forums.

I used Dark Basic Classic to program it in, not Dark Basic Pro as most people assume. I used Milkshape3D to create the 3D models, and LithUnwrap for texturing. I used multiple art programs including Adobe Photoshop and Corel Photopaint, whatever I could get at the time (I have used at least 3 computers in the process of creating the game).

I spent almost 2 years in the development process, starting in April 2003, when I was a junior in high school. Now I am in college, so I don't have nearly as much time to work on it. It started as a hobby, but people said that I could sell it, so I worked my butt of to give it a try.

I learned that making a game is a lot harder than it looks...especially adding the little things that are taken for granted like a good GUI, easy to use controls, and just making the game fun.

Well, I would do it again if I was in the same situation I was two years ago, but now, sadly, I have no time. I do wish to make a sequel, but that is not something I can do right now.

Thanks for your interest, spread the word about Firewall ;)

[Data]

Hi Bolt,
I downloaded your game and I think it is really good. I think the storyline is really well developed. By the way I'm a member of Darkbasic forums too. Me and my team are currenlty working on a game our selves, called UNdetermined Destiny and are looking for programmers, because you obviously have a lot of experience with programming I would like to ask you to join us even if you can't do all the programming just some.
JUst to give some background on the game:
Style: RPG>Medieval Knight Game

It is in its first stages only however we need more ideas and a programmer. THe game is planned to be online and multiplayer. In the game you are a peasant wo has to earn a living in one of the many careers. You may also choose to become are warrior/knight/ranger and earn money by destroying enemies. Extra features include a town mayor elected every 4 months, 4 nations to choose from, and a unique storyline which is still being further developed. If you are interested please email me for more info and for the url of the site at ialex@mts.net.

THank-you

[Bolt]

Thanks, I'm glad you like my game. Sorry to turn you down, but I am in college right now and am very busy, I barely have any time to do updates on Firewall even. Thanks for the offer, but I am not experienced with RPGs either, I don't even play them. Good luck on your game though, I hope it goes well